Canada election results: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will continue in office, but not with the majority he hoped for.

Justin Trudeau has been re-elected to a third term as Prime Minister of Canada. With results still coming in late Monday night, Trudeau appeared to be on course for a minority government, which means he’ll have to negotiate with other parties to pass legislation once again. According to preliminary results, his Liberals won or were in the lead in 156 seats, falling short of the 170 required for a legislative majority.

“I hear you when you say you want to get back to the things you love, not to worry about the pandemic or the election. You have given this government and this parliament clear direction.” Trudeau said

The prime minister took a risk by calling an election in August, hoping that the government’s pandemic response would increase his party’s parliamentary power. Rival parties immediately retaliated, accusing the prime minister of carrying out a “vanity project” amid the coronavirus pandemic’s fourth wave.

“Five weeks ago, Mr. Trudeau asked for a majority. Tonight, Canadians did not give Mr. Trudeau the majority mandate he wanted. In fact, Canadians sent him back with another minority at the cost of $600m dollars,” O’Toole said.

Conservative leader O’TOOLE

Despite strong anticipation from supporters who were encouraged by competitive polling figures throughout the campaign, the Conservatives were unable to dethrone Trudeau. O’Toole talked about being the leader to take on the Liberals whenever the next election comes up in his election night speech from Durham, Ont.

However, the defeat has already raised questions about O’Toole’s leadership, as his predecessor was sacked after a similar conclusion in 2019.